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Co2 or frame pump?

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Old 12-22-09 | 12:37 PM
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Co2 or frame pump?

Got a pinch flat last weekend and was glad I had Co2 with me. I havent carried a handpump in years...

What is the consensus on this? I'm thinking of buying the 10g cartridges from wallymart and buying threadless adaptors and just using hella co2 and patch kits instead of carrying a hand pump.

What kind of psi do you guys get with 16g/10g Co2 cartridges??

Thanks!@
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Old 12-22-09 | 02:40 PM
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I keep a pump in my Camelbak. Topeak Mountain Morph...not as long as a frame pump, but bigger than a minipump, so call it what you want. I've flatted multiple times on a single ride before, so I'm hesitant to guess at how many cartridges I might need and call it good. Extra tube, patch kit, and pump for me.
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Old 12-22-09 | 05:18 PM
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I tend to cary both, co2 for when I,m in a hurry (Race or oh $#@^ its getting dark out fast) or a mini pump for the rest of the time.
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Old 12-23-09 | 12:43 AM
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Both. CO2 in the tool kit, small pump in jersey pocket or fanny pack. It takes forever to pump up a fat 29er tire by hand, but I hate the thought of emptying the cartridge accidentally and then having no alternative.

Plus, if you need to help someone else, you let THEM use your hand pump instead of your cartridge.
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Old 12-23-09 | 07:47 AM
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Just to add another element to the thread.........................

How many extra tubes do you carry ?

I would think 2 would be ideal, but MTB tubes can be quite large, especially if they're gel sealant pre-filled, so I only carry one.
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Old 12-23-09 | 09:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Zephyr11
I keep a pump in my Camelbak. Topeak Mountain Morph...not as long as a frame pump, but bigger than a minipump, so call it what you want. I've flatted multiple times on a single ride before, so I'm hesitant to guess at how many cartridges I might need and call it good. Extra tube, patch kit, and pump for me.
+1
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Old 12-23-09 | 03:58 PM
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I dont carry a camelback(sorry i cant fit into that crowd just yet), but I carry 1 tube, 2 co2 cartridges, 1 patch kit, tire levers, and a multi tool on every ride I do.

I'm thinking of getting a pump, whats a really light and good pump guys? No hand pump please that **** will wear me out!!
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Old 12-23-09 | 05:28 PM
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Hydration pack fits a certain "crowd"? Really? Like sucking on a bottle puts you in a certain light?

Gave up on CO2 for a mountain bike a long time ago, got them when I raced, and didn't use them for long. Simply unreliable; a broken CO2 inflator or empty cartridges are pretty damn useless 20 miles from civilization. Plus you always have to remember to buy/replace the empties. Get at least the large cartridges for mountain tires, 16g if you must use them, 25g even better. At the pressures you say you run can't imagine the 12g would work well. Here's a chart I noticed https://www.genuineinnovations.com/im...on%20Chart.jpg.

I don't use a pack on my road bike, and do use a CO2 (but it's extremely rare for me to flat on the road and I can always call a taxi), I really hate rattling road frame pumps or dealing with making it not ratlle. Plus side to the frame pump on a mountain bike is it has given me several free pumps over the many years . Get an extra velcro strap or something if you gotta hang it on your frame.

Pump in a good pack is the way to go IMHO, lose the bottles (and the crud that can get on them), take the weight out of pockets/off the bike, plus gives you enough storage for food, safety breaks, change in weather, real tools, more water, etc. Topeak Mountain Morph is my favorite, especially friendly to presta valves with it's mini fill hose and foot peg.

ps 2 tubes plus patch kit for the mountain bike (actually, same for road bike)

Last edited by bikinfool; 12-23-09 at 07:31 PM.
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Old 12-23-09 | 07:34 PM
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Originally Posted by bikinfool
Hydration pack fits a certain "crowd"? Really? Like sucking on a bottle puts you in a certain light?

Gave up on CO2 for a mountain bike a long time ago, got them when I raced, and didn't use them for long. Simply unreliable; a broken CO2 inflator or empty cartridges are pretty damn useless 20 miles from civilization. Plus you always have to remember to buy/replace the empties. Get at least the large cartridges for mountain tires, 16g if you must use them, 25g even better. At the pressures you say you run can't imagine the 12g would work well. Here's a chart I noticed https://www.genuineinnovations.com/im...on%20Chart.jpg.



I don't use a pack on my road bike, and do use a CO2 (but it's extremely rare for me to flat on the road and I can always call a taxi), I really hate rattling road frame pumps or dealing with making it not ratlle. Plus side to the frame pump on a mountain bike is it has given me several free pumps over the many years . Get an extra velcro strap or something if you gotta hang it on your frame.

Pump in a good pack is the way to go IMHO, lose the bottles (and the crud that can get on them), take the weight out of pockets/off the bike, plus gives you enough storage for food, safety breaks, change in weather, real tools, more water, etc. Topeak Mountain Morph is my favorite, especially friendly to presta valves with it's mini fill hose and foot peg.

ps 2 tubes plus patch kit for the mountain bike (actually, same for road bike)
Thanks for the tips I'll see If I can find a frame pump that will fit my MTB. Im trying to put it nicely that camelbacks are lame I refuse to use one no matter what. Sucking on water bottles is my preferred choice Plus all the cool water bottles and designs make it worth it.
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Old 12-23-09 | 08:22 PM
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Originally Posted by ovoleg
Thanks for the tips I'll see If I can find a frame pump that will fit my MTB. Im trying to put it nicely that camelbacks are lame I refuse to use one no matter what. Sucking on water bottles is my preferred choice Plus all the cool water bottles and designs make it worth it.
No worries, do what you like, just yanking the ol' chain a bit in any case. Camelbak brand packs are on the lame side, IMHO. Deuter Aircomfort packs, that's the way to go.

Don't think there's any really cool bottles or cages, though (maybe a Sigg bottle....maybe).

The pump frame mount kits can do the job for most bikes, but a supplemental strap is a good idea (or perhaps a free pump to someone). Another consideration is room for bottle mounts in any case, some bikes don't have them or have them in bad spots to make room for the suspension (my main rides don't have bottle mounts except on the bottom of the down tube, which I only use for a night light if I need a bottle mount type battery, useless to drink out of).
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Old 12-23-09 | 08:45 PM
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Old 12-24-09 | 11:07 AM
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How much does co2 cost?
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Old 12-24-09 | 11:11 AM
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Originally Posted by calleymn
How much does co2 cost?
Listened to Dan and went to buy Co2 instead. I just dont have room to carry a pump around and I'm really anti camelbacks. I asked the shop about the bags and stuff and I just dont want to carry anything on my back.

I bought a Co2 adapter that takes unthreaded carthridges and I will buy the large supply of unthreaded from wallmart(pretty cheap).

is 12g Co2 enough to get to about 40psi?
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Old 12-24-09 | 05:36 PM
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I used to just CO2 until patching a tire and reflatting took 4 carts. Ran out. Would have been nice to have a pump to check for punctures. Now my pump goes in my Camelback. Though if I go tubeless, I may change my mind.

Yes, buy the BB gun carts. They are much cheaper. Even if they are smaller, for the price you can use 2 and still come out ahead $$$.
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Old 12-25-09 | 03:23 AM
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I like CH4 cartridges. They smell good.
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Old 12-25-09 | 07:50 AM
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Originally Posted by calleymn
How much does co2 cost?
A good place to start..

https://www.gas-depot.com/index.php?m...4736e8a4fe0f4c
Imo, If you don't need to fix flats with record speeds , it is just a waste of money
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